Steam Dreams: The Japanese Public Bath by The Japan Foundation, Sydney

Feb 12 – May 22, 2021 The Japan Foundation Gallery

curators’ introduction by Eloise Rapp and Simonne Goran

Steam Dreams: The Japanese Public Bath explores the history of sentō, with a particular focus on its preservation and the future of communal bathing. The exhibition highlights how the public bath developed, from early ideas of ritual purification to later cultivating a sense of place and community. In particular, Steam Dreams celebrates the unique design elements of the Japanese public bathhouse, from the glorious hand-painted murals of Mt Fuji waterscapes, to sentō’s charming utilitarian objects. Through a diverse selection of works, including historical artefacts, retro-pop ephemera, mural painting, contemporary photography, illustration and local community art, Steam Dreams presents an introduction to the multifaceted sentō culture of Japan. This exhibition traces the progression of Japanese bath culture from over 150 years ago to today, including design transitions from wooden to tiled floors, the implementation of a gender division, and the visual connection to nature achieved through mural artistry. Historical photographs from the Kjeld Duits collection depict the evolution of the public bath from the late 1800s to the mid 1900s. The distinct architectural and atmospheric qualities of sentō today are captured by Kōtaro Imada in his photographic work. Artist and head of wellknown Tokyo sentō Kosugi-yu, Honami Enya offers a glimpse into daily sentō life with intricate watercolour illustrations that draw on the bathhouse’s architectural blueprint. The exhibition is framed by a younger generation seeking to inherit antiquated craft skills before sentō are rendered obsolete. Out of the three remaining masters, Mizuki Tanaka is Japan’s youngest and only female mural painter active today. With her murals, Tanaka is attempting to revitalise a practice traditionally occupied exclusively by men. The mural commissioned for this exhibition is a humble gesture to Tanaka’s expansive paintings that impress the walls of sentō across Japan.

Another artist, Toshizō Hirose, uses the long-established technique of hanko (stamp)-making to create designs signifying the unique features of every sentō he visits across Japan. Hirose has also created a new hanko for this exhibition and it is on offer for attendees to use as the instigator for their own sentō pilgrimage. Revival, restoration, preservation and future-thinking are key references for Steam Dreams artists. These themes are also reflected in the objects rescued from demolished or soon-to-be closed sites. The Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture collection offers various sentō ephemera, many of which are still in use today. The Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi collection displays fragments of tiles of historical significance, as well as tile samples illustrating past design trends. New and old artefacts further highlight ongoing artisanal practices that produce painstakingly handcrafted objects for the communal bath. Finally, the living and thriving local sentō community is represented by Steam Dreams. Katsura-yu, an unassuming but much-loved public bath located in a quiet neighbourhood of Kyoto, has contributed a series of handmade tiles that normally adorn their change room ceiling. Created by both the owners and their customers, the cheerful ‘Yu’-themed art tiles encapsulate the true essence of sentō today— community, continuity and unpretentiousness. Steam Dreams invites you to contemplate how Japanese public bathing has evolved over time, surviving the perpetual currents of change. Will sentō continue adapting to new culture? We are excited to bring together a community of people who strive to remember this time-honoured practice by surveying its rituals, etiquette, design and social impact. With Steam Dreams, we contemplate the past whilst looking to the future of sentō—whatever it may hold.

artists

After his return to Japan, Imada graduated from the Nippon Photography Institute and in 2005 apprenticed under Yoshinori Komatsu and worked on taking photographs for home builder advertisements. In 2006 he began to take photos using sentō as his main subject. Two years after that, Imada joined the Kawasumi Architecture Photograph Office. In 2014 he became a freelance photographer, and inherited the trade name of his father’s studio. While currently based in Tokyo, he takes architectural photographs throughout the whole of Japan.

Honami Enya Honami Enya is an illustrator and the manager (bantō) of Kosugi-yu, a sentō in Kōenji, Tokyo. After completing an architecture degree at Waseda University Graduate School, Enya worked in a well-known architectural firm, the workload of which caused her health to deteriorate. Enya was saved by the sentō she began to visit while in temporary retirement, which led to her deciding to share her sentō illustrations, entitled Sentō Diagrams, on social networking sites. These illustrations became so popular that Kosugi-yu reached out to offer her the position of bantō.

Mizuki Tanaka

Toshizo Hirose

Mizuki Tanaka was born in Osaka in 1983 and grew up in Tokyo. While attending Meiji Gakuin University, she apprenticed under master sentō artist Morio Nakajima. After her graduation, Tanaka gained experience in the publishing industry doing editing work, and was the former editor of the art review site Kalonsnet. Since 2013, Tanaka has been creating sentō murals with her husband Yoshikazu Komamura through his company Handyman Komamura. In addition to her regular work creating sentō murals, she participates in activities that will get more people interested in sentō via the murals, such as exhibitions, events, and workshops. Tanaka has done mural pieces for corporations such as Audi Japan and BEAMS, and her exhibition history includes Mizuki Tanaka Sentō Mural Exhibition (Matsudai Nohbutai, 2014), EchigoTsumari Art Triennale Selected 100 Marginal Arts of Today (Matsudai Nohbutai Centre, Niigata, 2015), and more.

Toshizō Hirose is originally from Yokohama city in Kanagawa prefecture. Though he was once a programmer, in 2015 he became a freelance sentō hanko (stamp) designer, which he still does today. Since June 2014 he has had an ongoing column in sentō newspapers around Japan entitled Sentō Hanko E-gatari (Tales of sentō hanko art). As of January 2021 he has completed hanko for 250 bathhouses (111 of which are situated in Tokyo).

Kotaro Imada Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Kōtaro Imada was always close to his father who ran a photo studio, and so became familiar with cameras at a young age. Imada began to produce his own photographic works while traveling and working overseas, including working on stock farms in Australia. While travelling through Europe, he became interested in architecture; in particular, he was deeply impressed by the Basilica of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

organisations and institutions

In addition to sentō, the organisation researches a variety of subjects both large and small, from komainu (guardian lion-dog statues at Shinto shrines) to long-established ryokan (traditional Japanese inns). In recent years they have been furthering their examination of local communities and popular places in Bunkyo, and the focus of their work has greatly expanded to include places outside the ward as well. They are currently producing a documentary that shows the state of their activities, and also have many other crossover events and projects underway in cooperation with organisations in other regions.

Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture was founded in 2011 as a volunteer organisation for young people, specialising in the city and architecture related to the Bunkyo ward in Tokyo. They rediscover the overlooked charms of the region from an architectural point of view, and share their values by promoting the appeal and new modes of engaging with sentō through various channels. Since 2012, Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture have been shining a spotlight on sentō, a local community hub, and have toured an exhibition entitled Sentō: Your Local Luxury Space, a research project on 11 active sentō in Bunkyo ward. At the same time, they also gather records of sentō when they close down, hold summits to support sentō, conduct seismic evaluations of aging sentō, and propose plans for the restoration and alternative use of sentō that are still in business.

Duits Duits is a boutique journalism and photography agency in Tokyo with an extensive archive of authentic images of old Japan. On display in the exhibition are reproduced images of sentō and onsen that depict the evolution of the public bath from the late 1800s through to the mid-1900s.

Katsura-yu

Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi

Katsura-yu was established in 1929, with the goal of being a sentō with strong, vibrant roots in the local area. The owners focus on improved health, mutual interaction, and improved welfare for their customers, and strive to be a place where people feel able to relax both body and soul. In addition, Katsura-yu have inherited good old-fashioned traditions, whilst carrying out new endeavours and initiatives that follow more modern trends, and work to make the region of Katsura in Kyoto more active.

Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi is located in Kasahara-chō, Tajimi city. Following years of preparation led by organisations representing the local mosaic tile industry, which boasts the country’s largest production volume of mosaic tiles, the museum opened in 2016. Terunobu Fujimori, the architect who designed the museum building, is internationally acclaimed for his highly original creations informed by architectural history and created a wonderfully unorthodox external appearance for the Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi inspired by clay quarries where clay and silica sand are extracted for use in tile production. The museum houses over 10,000 artifacts and other materials. Most have been collected over the years by local volunteers and kept at a facility named ‘Mosaic Romankan House’. The collection includes tile sample books/boards and tile products from the past, such as wash basins, bathtubs, and export goods, as well as tools and utensils formerly in use. In addition to exhibiting objects and materials, the museum hopes to play a unique role in connecting people from diverse backgrounds through the medium of tile, leveraging its location in the heart of one of the country’s foremost tile-producing locales.

Sadly, Junichi Muraya, the owner of Katsurayu passed away late last year. He was very excited to be included in this exhibition and introduce his sentō to Australian audiences. We are honoured for the opportunity to share his contribution to sentō culture and the Katsura-yu community, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family and the devoted customers of Katsura-yu.

list of works

Sentō Curtain, Tsukino-yu c. 2000s Cloth 1740mm x 532mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

Kanda Sakurai Shizuoka Izusan Onsen c. 1930s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 273mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

Artist unknown Bathing Women c. 1890s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 227mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

IJsbrand Rogge Public Bathhouse c. 1950s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 280mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

Artist unknown Bathing Women (Two Nude Women Taking a Bath) c. 1880s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 220mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

10. Nabezo Bathing Woman (Joyu no Nyuyoku—An Actress Taking a Bath) 1908 (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 312mm x 550mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

Kimbei Kusakabe Women in Bath c. 1890s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 230mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

11. Toshizō Hirose Sentō Stamp Panels 2015-2020 Paper, styrofoam 93mm x 93mm (size of individual panel) Courtesy: The artist

Artist unknown Bathing Women (O-Hana-San Bathing With Her Sister) c. 1900s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 275mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

12. Toshizō Hirose Stamp ‘Sydney-yu’ 2020 Wood, resin rubber 33mm x 63mm x 33mm Commissioned for Steam Dreams / Courtesy: The artist

Seiundo Studio Women and Children Bathing (Noboribetsu Onsen) c. 1920s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 276mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

13. Tokyo Sento Association Sentō Pilgrim Notebook 2007 Paper 148mm x 210mm Courtesy: The artist and Tokyo Sento Association

Artist unknown Bathing Soldiers c. 1920s (reproduction, 2020) Archival photographic print 260mm x 270mm Courtesy: Kjeld Duits Collection

14. Kōtaro Imada Meguro-ku Daikoku-yu 2017 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist 6

15. Kōtaro Imada Kita-ku Inari-yu 2018 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

23. Kōtaro Imada Nakano-ku Matsumoto-yu 2019 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

16. Kōtaro Imada Kita-ku Inari-yu 2018 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

24. Kōtaro Imada Kodaira-shi Kodaira Yokujō 2018 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

17. Kōtaro Imada Ōta-ku Daini Hinode-yu 2017 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

25. Kōtaro Imada Taito-ku Misuji-yu 2007 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

18. Kōtaro Imada Edogawa-ku Tokiwa-yu 2019 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

26. Wash Buckets Date unknown Plastic 230mm x 110mm (size of individual bucket) Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

19. Kōtaro Imada Itabashi-ku Hanano-yu 2017 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

27. Honami Enya Daikoku-yu Illustration 1 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

20. Kōtaro Imada Katsushika-ku Atami-yu 2008 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

28. Honami Enya Kuaparesu Illustration 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

21. Kōtaro Imada Nerima-ku Tatsuno-yu 2016 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

29. Honami Enya Kyōnan Yokujō Illustration 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

22. Kōtaro Imada Arakawa-ku Teikoku-yu 2008 Photographic paper 400mm x 500mm Courtesy: The artist

30. Honami Enya Ōkura-yu Illustration 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

31. Honami Enya Kosugi-yu Illustration 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

39. Azmaya Bath Stool 2006 Kiso hinoki (Japanese cypress) 280mm x 170mm x 228mm Courtesy: Azmaya Co., Ltd.

32. Honami Enya Daikoku-yu Illustration 2 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

40. Makoto Koizumi Ambai Hinoki Bath Stool 2002 Kiso hinoki (Japanese cypress) 300mm x 200mm x 300mm Courtesy: Koizumi Studio and GEN Ltd.

33. Honami Enya Shōwa-yu Illustration 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

41. Thermometer Date unknown Wood, glass, metal 97mm x 600mm x 11mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

34. Honami Enya Yakushi-yu Illustration 2018 Watercolour on paper 370mm x 450mm Courtesy: The artist

42. Signboards, Otome-yu (Bunkyō-ku, Tokyo) Date unknown Plastic Various sizes Courtesy: Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi 43. Saji Tile, Nagoya Majolica Tiles, Sakura-yu c. 1920s Semi-porcelain 75mm x 150mm (size of individual tile) Courtesy: Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi

35. Wall Segment with Square Mosaic Tiles, Hiromi-yu (Kani-shi) c. 1950s Porcelain 250mm x 300mm Courtesy: Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi

44. Marugo Pottery, Kasahara-chō Tile Sample ‘Plate Pattern’ 1955-60 Paper, porcelain 535mm × 293mm (size of paper) Courtesy: Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi

36. ‘Tsubame’ Swallow Brand Shoe Box Locks Date unknown Metal, wood 135mm x 105mm x 20mm Courtesy: Eloise Rapp 37. Assorted Wooden Keys Date unknown Wood Various sizes Courtesy: Eloise Rapp

45. Faucet Date unknown Metal, plastic 55mm x 125mm x 145mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

38. Sansuke Bucket, Otome-yu Date unknown Wood 280mm x 230mm x 120mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

46. Faucet Date unknown Metal 350mm x 220mm x 70mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

47. Naoshima Bath I♥ ︎湯 Imabari towels Date unknown Cotton 820mm x 330mm Courtesy: Simonne Goran

53. Katsura-yu Sentō Ceiling Community Panels 2014-2020 Cardboard, wood 420mm x 420mm (size of individual panel) Courtesy: Katsura-yu

48. Goods Sold at Sentō Date unknown Soap, plastic, cloth Various sizes Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

54. Mizuki Tanaka Japanese Public Bath Mural 2020 Paint, foam styrol 1200mm x 2700mm Commissioned for Steam Dreams / Courtesy: The artist

49. Shoehorn Date unknown Plastic 45mm x 425mm x 65mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

55. Bath Stools Date unknown Plastic 295mm x 220mm x 285mm (size of individual stool) Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

50. Bath Mat c. 2010s Cloth 566mm x 500mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

56. Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture Sentō Booklets 2013 Paper Various sizes Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture

51. Rattan Basket Date unknown Wood (rattan) 460mm × 335mm × 250mm Courtesy: Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture 52. Noren (Curtains Hung in the Entranceways of Sentō), Kasahara-chō c. 1950s Fabric 1130mm × 1400mm Courtesy: Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi

The Japan Foundation Gallery

Feb 12 – May 22, 2021

Artists Honami Enya Toshizō Hirose Mizuki Tanaka Kōtaro Imada Organisations and institutions Bunkyo Youth Society of Architecture Duits Katsura-yu Mosaic Tile Museum, Tajimi Curated by Eloise Rapp and Simonne Goran Presented by The Japan Foundation, Sydney Yurika Sugie, Simonne Goran, Susan Bui, Anne Lee, Aurora Newton

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